‘It was emotional’: Southwest Nebraska family meets hero Allyson Felix

EUGENE, Ore. (KSNB) - When the Sprago family made the decision to capitalize on their passion and drive from Dundy County, Nebraska, to Eugene, Oregon, for the 2022 World Athletics Championships, little did they know they impact it would have on the rest of their lives.

Track has always run in the family. Megan Sprago, the matriarch of the family, participated in track and field at Dickinson State in North Dakota. Mike Sprago, the patriarch, did the same for the Blue Hawks and also played football.

That passion for track and field was passed down to their children, Clara and Abi Sprago, who are going into 9th and 7th grade, respectively.

When the Sprago family arrived in Oregon, they said their ultimate goal was to watch American track star Allyson Felix. They achieved that and more.

“Just watching her run past me in the 4x4 made me tear up,” Megan Sprago said. “It was emotional, so it was just an amazing thing to bring our girls to see female athletes. It just kind of made the show.”

Felix stopped for pictures with both Clara and Abi, who brought a handmade sign that read, “Drove 21 hours from Nebraska to get a picture with Allyson Felix.”

“It was pretty cool because that was probably her last race on a world stage,” Clara Sprago said.

“It was crazy, honestly,” Abi Sprago added. “It was really cool.”

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